Photographic image upload kiosk and method

ABSTRACT

A method for collecting images by an image-processing provider from a plurality of users using an automated station. The method includes receiving a wireless signal comprising image information by a wireless receiver port in the automated station, accepting user-identifier information into a computer in the automated station, wherein the user-identifier information is associated with a user, and accepting order information into the computer, wherein the order information specifies a service to be provided relative to the image information. The method further includes storing into a local storage in the automated station and coupled to the computer, a digital representation of the image information and associated user identifier information and order information for each of a plurality of different users into a data structure, and sending the data structure to the image-processing provider via a communication network.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority tocommonly assigned pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/630,752,filed on Aug. 2, 2000, titled “Photographic image upload kiosk andmethod”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of automated kiosks for interactingwith shoppers and more particularly to a device and method foraccepting, storing, and communicating digital images and associatedorder information and use account information from the kiosk to anonline photofinishing provider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need and demand for transferring image data across a network israpidly increasing. People have started taking pictures using digitalcameras. Processing facilities have begun offering digital scanningservices as an optional supplemental service of their conventional filmprocessing operations. For example, a customer can request that theirprocessor provide digitized versions of their film images to be writtento a diskette, burned onto a CDROM (compact disk read-only memory), oreven e-mailed across the internet or made available on an internet website for downloading by their friends and relatives.

Digital cameras have declined in price while adding attractive consumerfeatures. As a result digital cameras have become popular with amateurand professional photographers alike. To-date, photographers usingdigital cameras have faced a variety of expensive options in reproducingtheir images on paper. Color inkjet printers are available but theyrequire expensive paper for optimal results and are often wasteful ofpaper. Almost all approaches require, at a minimum, the purchase of apersonal computer and the requisite image-processing software.

Recently, companies such as Shutterfly, Inc of Redwood City, Calif. haveprovided a web site and software for uploading images captured by adigital camera or scanner. The uploaded images can be processed at thesite and turned into high-quality photographic prints. Still, however,the images must be loaded into a personal computer before beingtransferred to the web site.

Recently, a popular service has arrived which accepts digital image dataand writes corresponding images onto photographic paper. The resultingprints are superior in many ways to digital images printed on specialcoated paper using ink-jet technology. Further services can providespecial borders, image effects and color corrections, mailing toselected recipients, and other value-adding services for the imageowner.

Further services are being developed to provide other services fordigital images, such as converting conventional images (prints ornegatives) into a digital format, archiving image data, internetpublishing, and delivery of images.

A large number of data formats have been developed over the years forholding image data, such as JPEG (Joint photographic experts group-typecompression format), TIFF (tagged image file format), GIF (graphicsinterchange format), BMP (bit map format), and other formats. Typically,such formats include a compression format and a data structuredefinition. An aggregation of images could be held in a directory havinga plurality of individual, e.g., JPEG images. However, a mere directoryof images lacks organization, indexing, image manipulation information,image ownership information, etc.

Digital images are stored on various media: some are fixed in location(such as hard disks) and others that can be moved or mailed (such asdiskettes, DVDs, or CDROMs). Digital images can also be transferred overcommunications media such as the Internet, local networks, or even a USB(universal serial bus) cable connecting a digital camera to a personalcomputer. Many different and incompatible protocols and structures havebeen proposed for transferring and storing images, however a singleefficient comprehensive mechanism has not existed.

Uploading of digital images from the camera to an image-processing website is a time and labor-intensive process. What is needed is a systemand method for automating the transfer of images to an image-processingsite. At the same time, what is needed is a system and method forreducing the cost and complexity of such a transfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the problems stated above, and to solve other problems whichwill become apparent in reading the specification and claims, a systemand method are described for accepting and storing images into a kioskdigital imaging system, and then and then transferring the image data toan image-processing provider.

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for accepting andstoring image data from each one of a plurality of customers, forexample at a kiosk, then transferring and again storing the digitalimage data to a central processing facility for processing anddistribution per instructions from the customer.

One advantage of the present invention is that the step of accepting andstoring image data from a customer can be separated from the step oftransferring the image data and order information to the serviceprovider. The customer does not need to wait near the kiosk during theuploading process.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the transfer of theimages and order information is secured. The images and the orderinformation from the customer can be temporarily stored over the storagemedia in the kiosk. The images and order information can beautomatically removed from the storage media in the kiosk once theservice provided confirms that it has received the image and orderinformation.

The present invention also provides a system and a method fortransferring digital images between a kiosk source terminal and arepository system interconnected by a communications medium. Forexample, in some embodiments, the communications medium includes theInternet. In other embodiments, the medium includes wirelesstransmission of data. In yet other embodiments, a private network isused.

The present invention provides a method of collecting images from aplurality of customers into a kiosk, and transferring images from thekiosk to an image-processing provider for processing. The kiosk includesa computer, a data storage device and an interface for capturing digitalimages. The data storage device includes computer-readable media forstoring information representative of the digital images. The methodincludes accepting image information from a customer into the interfaceof the kiosk, accepting user-identifier information into the computer(the user-identifier information corresponding to the customer),accepting order information into the computer (the order informationspecifying a service to be provided relative to the image information),storing into a local storage connected to the computer a digitalrepresentation of the image information and associated user identifierinformation and order information for each of a plurality of differentcustomers into a data structure, and sending the data structure to theimage-processing provider via a communication medium.

Various embodiments of the method further include accepting credit-cardpayment information, displaying to the customer at least one image fromthe image information and/or a plurality of thumbnail images from theimage information, and/or printing a receipt describing the order andincluding a printout of the plurality of thumbnail images from the imageinformation. In some embodiments, the order information further includesa modification to be made to at least one image from the imageinformation and/or a plurality of delivery addresses to which at leastone print from the image information is to be delivered. In variousembodiments, the accepting image information includes optical scanningof film images and generating digital representations of the filmimages, transferring image data directly from a digital camera,transferring image data directly from a storage medium, and/ortransferring image data into a port such as a universal serial bus (USB)port or wireless port of the kiosk. Some embodiments even includeaccepting a container of undeveloped film into the kiosk, processing theundeveloped film to generate developed film in the kiosk, and opticallyscanning the developed film and generating at least one digitalrepresentation of the developed film.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a kiosk foraccepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at aremote image-processing provider. The kiosk includes a controller, astorage device operatively coupled to the controller, a image inputdevice operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controllertransfers digital image information from the image input device to thestorage device, a user input device operatively coupled to thecontroller to produce user-identifier information and order informationbased on input from the customer, wherein the order informationspecifies a service to be provided relative to the image information,and wherein the controller associates the user-identifier informationand the order information with the digital image information, and a datatransmission interface operatively coupled to the controller and to acommunication medium, wherein the controller sends the digital imageinformation and its associated user-identifier information and orderinformation to the image-processing provider via a communication medium.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides acomputer-implemented method of business that includes accepting imageinformation at a first business location, accepting user-identifierinformation and order information associated with the image informationat the first business location, processing and digitally storing aplurality of images from the image information at the first businesslocation, transferring the digital stored images to a second businesslocation across a communications medium, storing the digital images atthe second business location, processing prints of the stored images,and delivering the processed prints to a customer.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an automated kiosk foraccepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at aremote image-processing provider. This kiosk includes a controller, astorage device operatively coupled to the controller, a plurality ofimage input devices operatively coupled to the controller, each inputdevice accepting a different type of image information, wherein thecontroller transfers digital image information from the image inputdevices to the storage device, a credit-card reader operatively coupledto the controller, the reader operable to read data of a credit card, auser input device operatively coupled to the controller to produceuser-identifier information and order information based on input fromthe customer, wherein the order information specifies a service to beprovided relative to the image information, and wherein the controllerassociates the user-identifier information and the order informationwith the digital image information, a display that displays the digitalimage information, user-identifier information, and order information,and a data transmission interface operatively coupled to the controllerand to a communication medium, wherein the controller sends the digitalimage information and its associated user-identifier information andorder information to the image-processing provider via a communicationmedium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplified kiosk.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplified kiosk user interface.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a kiosk information handling system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a kiosk computer upload system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a kiosk method.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention may be practiced. It is understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

In the Figures, the same reference number is used throughout to refer toan identical component that appears in multiple Figures. The samereference number or label may refer to signals and connections, and theactual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of thedescription.

Shutterfly.com Inc. of Redwood City, Calif. provides a number ofservices such as accepting digital images submitted over the internet,storing such images in a large data storage repository along withindexing, color-correction, configuration, image-manipulation, and/orownership information correlated to specific images or groups of images.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a “kiosk” defined asan automated or semi-automated station that interfaces with a customerto accept digital images for processing. In some embodiments, asalesperson can assist the customer in operation of the kiosk.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a kiosk 100 of one embodiment of the presentinvention. Kiosk 100 includes one or more user stations 200 (three userstations 200 are shown in this figure). Each user station 200 optionallyincludes a display 110, user input device 120, image-input device(s) 130and/or 140, and/or payment input device 150 (i.e., various embodimentsinclude one or more such user-interface components). Some embodimentsinclude a privacy screen 111 to help maintain some confidentiality ofthe transaction, images and other information. A user or customer 99would typically input his or her images into the kiosk, enteruser-identification information (such as name, address, telephonenumber, e-mail address, and/or credit card information) into the kiosk,and then order products and/or services based on the images (such asprints, slides, enlargements, photo-CDROMs, e-mailed images, etc.). Thekiosk 100 includes local storage 320 within the kiosk or nearby, ontowhich the image and order information is stored. The kiosk is typicallylocated in a retail store, shopping mall, or other location to makecustomer access easy and convenient. Some embodiments include adrive-up-window so customers can perform transactions from their car.Typically, information for a plurality of customers 99 is stored, andthen uploaded periodically during the day or overnight to a centralrepository and image-processing facility. That central image-processingfacility makes the products or performs the services ordered, anddelivers the result to the customer, e.g., by mail. In some embodiments,kiosk 100 is a standalone device on which the customer 99 can usewithout operator assistance. In other embodiments, the use of kiosk 100can also involve the assistance of an operator to the customer 99. Forexample, an operator can help with collecting the payment from thecustomer 99.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a kiosk user interface 200 of one embodiment ofthe present invention. In some embodiments, user interface 200 includesdisplay 110, user input device 120, image-input device(s) 130 and/or140, and/or payment input device 150. Display 211 displays suchuser-identification information as name, address, telephone number,e-mail address, and/or credit-card payment information (for example, thedisplay might show Alex Maire, 123 Elm St, Maples, Minn. 55555,612-555-1212, danbaum@yahoo.com, MegaBank credit card xxxx xxxx xxxx0123 charged $35.72). Alternatively, the user-id might just show anarbitrary customer-id number, in order that privacy is maintained. Forexample, a customer would enter their personal information just once,and thereafter use their customer-id number. In other embodiments, thecustomer's credit card is scanned by scanner 150 to provide both thecustomer-id number as well as providing credit information and a way ofproviding payment. In some embodiments, user data input device 120 (suchas a QWERTY-type keyboard or a joystick-type pointing device) is used toinput user-identification information. Image input interface 140includes one or more digital interfaces (such as one or more USB(universal serial bus) ports 241, 242, a firewire-type port 248, storagecard readers 243 and 244 of various types, hard-disk readers 245, and/orother data interfaces 246) in order to be able to accept digital imageinformation from user 99. Picture scanning interface 130 providesscanning of film or other images for some embodiments. In someembodiments, undeveloped film canisters or containers (such as advancedfile process (AFP) or 35 mm containers) are pushed into openings 138 and135, whereupon the film is extracted in a dark sealed interiorcompartment and developed to produce a developed film strip, which isthen scanned by a high-resolution digital scanner to generate digitalimages. In some embodiments, negatives are inserted into slot 131,whereupon the film is optionally cleaned using air blowers and/orsolvents, and then scanned by a high-resolution digital scanner togenerate digital images. In some embodiments, prints are inserted intoslot 132, whereupon the picture is optionally cleaned using air blowersand/or solvents, and then scanned by a high-resolution digital scannerto generate digital images. Other embodiments include other scanners.The images, once entered, are displayed as small “thumbnail” images inwindow 214 on display 110 in some embodiments. This allows the user 99to enter order information (e.g., specifying the type, size and numberof prints to be made of each image) which is then shown in window 212.In some embodiments, as each successive thumbnail image is highlighted,an enlarged view of that image is shown in window 213. In someembodiments, the user can optionally specify custom modifications to bemade to each image (such as cropping, color adjustment, red-eye removal,special borders, etc.). Further, back-print information can optionallybe entered, which will be printed on the back of every print and/or justcertain prints.

In some embodiments, special delivery instructions can be entered, forexample, specifying that a certain number and type and size of prints ofcertain images are to be mailed to each of a plurality of differentaddresses (e.g., one print of everything to be mailed to Mom at address1, two enlargements of print 3 to be mailed to Aunt Maureen at address2, etc.).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a kiosk information handling system 300 ofone embodiment. System 300 is embedded in or coupled to kiosk 100.System 300 includes image input ports 310, local storage 320, uploadinterface 330, and user interface 200. In some embodiments, system 300includes data stream input devices 311 (for example, a USB port, aserial port, a firewire port and/or a wireless port such as infra-red or2.4 GHz transmitter/receivers). In some embodiments, each of the one ormore data stream input device 311 is configured to receive digital imageinformation from, for example, a digital camera, and to upload suchimage information to the central processing facility as described below.

In some embodiments, system 300 includes media reader input devices 312(for example, a SCSI (small computer systems interface) port, memorystick port, EEPROM reader port, diskette reader, etc.). In someembodiments, each media reader input device 312 is configured to receivedigital image information from, for example, media for a digital cameraor media having downloaded images from a network such as the internet,and to upload such image information to the central processing facilityas described below.

In some embodiments, system 300 includes film scanner input devices 313(for example, a high-resolution film scanner) and/or print/drawingscanner 314 (for example, a flat-bed scanner that emits light on a printplaced on the flat-bed surface, and receives reflected light from theprint, and digitizes the image). In some embodiments, each film scannerinput devices 313 and each print/drawing scanner 314 (if provided) isconfigured to scan image information from, for example, photographicfilm or prints. These scanners convert such images into digital imageinformation (i.e., they output a digital image representative of eachscanned source image), which is uploaded to the central processingfacility as described below.

In some embodiments, system 300 includes a film developing station 315coupled to pass the developed film to scanner 316. Film developingstation 315 is a suitable film processing subsystem, for example, acolor film or slide film developing station that automatically removesthe undeveloped film from its canister, identifies the type of file, andthen processes the film in a process suited to that type of film.Scanner 316 is a suitable high-resolution film scanner.

The digital image information from any of the above-described imageinput device(s) 310 is stored into local storage 320 by data inputhandler 319 (in some embodiments, this is a computer). Optionally, userinterface 200 displays (for example, on a computer monitor, such as acolor CRT or LCD screen) the images and accepts user input as tomodifications to the images and the type, size, and number of prints tobe made, and the delivery address(es) to which to mail or deliver theprints. Periodically, the upload interface uploads the image and orderinformation across the internet or other suitable network orcommunications medium (such as wireless or satellite transmission). Thetiming of the upload can be triggered by any suitable event such as oneor more of the following: a polling operation from the centralprocessing facility, or a timer or clock event, or an indication that acertain amount of image information is stored, or that only a certainminimum amount of storage space is remaining. The polling event is a“pull” type transfer wherein the central processing facility controlsthe timing of the upload to suit its needs. For example, the centralprocessing facility will “ping” (sending an “inquiring signal” toinquire as to whether an image information is available) each kiosk of aset of one or more kiosks. If the kiosk has previously accepted andstored image information that is now available for upload, it will replywith an “image use signal” indicating that image information isavailable for upload. The central processing facility will then signalhow much information to transfer (i.e., indicate how much space isimmediately available at its end) and the kiosk uploads that muchinformation (user account information, order information, and imagedata) and an indication of whether more information is still availablefor upload. This last step is repeated as many times as needed totransfer all images from the kiosk, or at least as many as can be takenby the central processing facility. In some embodiments, the centralprocessing facility will then indicate to the kiosk that the images havebeen successfully stored there, and the kiosk then deletes its copies(or otherwise removes the image data from its storage). In someembodiments, the delete permission is sent only after the images havebeen printed and mailed, in order that the kiosk information can be usedas a backup, in case the uploaded information is somehow lost.

Some embodiments of the present invention use a Remote Film Scanning(RFS) applications programming interface (API) and a protocol fortransferring digital images (as contained in reel data image structures)from a source to a destination, such as are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/550,473, entitled “REMOTE FILM SCANNING ANDIMAGE TRANSFER SYSTEM, PROTOCOL AND METHOD” filed on Apr. 14, 2000,which is assigned to the assignee, and which is incorporated herein byreference.

The other trigger events described above are “push” type transfertriggers, wherein the kiosk controls the timing of the upload to suitits needs. Some embodiments use a combination of one or more pull-and/or push-type transfer triggers.

The present invention contemplates sources of digital images that, forexample, can include a film scanner that scans one or more conventionalrolls of photographic negatives or slide film, a paper scanner thatscans a paper image or publication, a digital camera having storeddigital images, storage media from such a camera, or a portablenotebook-type personal computer having a set of stored digital imagesobtained from, e.g., a digital camera. A roll of conventionalphotographic film typically includes a plurality of images (e.g., 12,24, or 36 images are typical, but other numbers of images can be used).In some embodiments, a plurality of such rolls are spliced together intoa reel (even rolls from a plurality of different users or customers), inorder to facilitate quasi-continuous developing and/or scanningoperations. In some such embodiments, a reel will contain about onehundred rolls of film.

Destinations for digital images, for example, can include a centralprinting facility that exposes conventional light-sensitive colorphotographic paper to patterns representing the digital image to createphotographic prints of the digital images. One exemplary source ofdigital images is a film-developing-and-scanning facility (a “kiosk”)that accepts consumer film rolls for processing, and that transmitsresulting digital images across a network (such as the Internet) to thecentral picture-printing facility. Such a source of digital images canbe remote from the central picture-printing facility, and if the remotesource is a server connected using an Internet protocol, it is called a“remote web server.”

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a kiosk computer upload system 400. Acomputer 401 is used at the source terminal to run a program 351 tocontrol the acquisition of image data and the upload responses, andanother computer 402 is used at the reel-fetcher end run another program352 (which is complementary to the program 351 of the source terminal)to control the polling and storage of the images in the repository. Inone embodiment of the present invention, computer system 400 is a systemthat includes removable-media drive 312 (such as a floppy-disk drive, ora ZIP-type high-capacity drive available from 10MEGA Corporation of Roy,Utah, or a CDROM drive). In one embodiment, removable-media drive 312 isused to read program code 351 and/or 352 from program media 451. Media451 (such as a floppy disk, a ZIP-type cartridge, or a CDROM) issuitable for a corresponding removable media drive 312. In someembodiments, program code 351 and/or 352 is transferred from acommunications medium 335 such as the Internet. In some embodiments,program media 451 is used to distribute program code 351 and/or 352 tocustomers. In other embodiments, computer 402 is connected to computernetwork 335 (such as a local-area network (LAN), or a wide-area networksuch as the Internet). In such a network environment, program code 351and/or 352 is read from or written to computer network 360. In one suchembodiment, computer network 360 is the media used to distribute programcode 351 and/or 352 to customers. In some embodiments, program code 351and/or 352 includes code to load the appropriate reel data imagestructures to the repository 462.

After the image information, user-identifier information, or theuser-identifier information is transferred from the kiosk to imagedepository at the image processing provider (e.g. online photofinisher),the data structure can be removed from the local storage on the kiosk.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a kiosk method 500. Thiscomputer-implemented method of business includes, at block 510,accepting image information (provided by a user of the kiosk, forexample, a roll of film to be developed, a strip of photographicnegatives to be scanned using transmitted light, or a photographic print(or other opaque or printed material) to be scanned using reflectedlight, or a digital image transferred from a digital camera) at a firstbusiness location (for example, at a kiosk 100). At block 512, themethod includes accepting user-identifier information and, in someembodiments, order information associated with the image information atthe first business location (for example, accepting a customer numberinto a keypad or a swipe of a magnetically encoded stripe of a user'splastic card, or from a customer keying in name, address, phone number,and how many of what kind of prints to have made). Some embodiments theninclude a block 513, having subblock 530 (displaying one or more of theimages) and/or subblock 532 (modifying one or more of the images). Atblock 514, the method includes processing and digitally storing aplurality of digital images from the image information at the firstbusiness location (e.g., developing the film and scanning the negativesto obtain digital images, or converting from the camera's digital-imageformat into a high-quality JPEG-type image format, and storing intostorage 320 located inside or connected locally to the kiosk). At block516, the method includes transferring the digital stored images to asecond business location across a communications medium (e.g., someembodiments include being polled from block 515 (a poll sent from acentral location), and then uploading the digital images across aninternet connection). At block 518, the method includes storing thedigital images at the second business location (e.g., into a massstorage device at the processing facility). At block 520, the methodincludes processing 520 prints of the stored images (e.g., making printsof the images onto photographic paper), and block 522 shows deliveringthe processed prints to a customer (e.g., mailing the prints).

In some embodiments of method 500, an additional block 513 fordisplaying and/or modifying the images is included. This allows the userto see the raw images, and to customize modifications to the images atthe first business location (e.g., the automated kiosk 100). In otherembodiments, the user can later access the images (e.g., after step 518,when the images are stored in the central processing facility) from aninternet terminal (e.g., from home), and display the images and makemodifications and/or customize borders and print sizes for the order (orfor an additional subsequent order to the order made at the kiosk at thetime the roll of film was originally deposited). In some embodiments,the images are retained in the central processing facility for a long orindefinite period, in order that the customer may make follow-on orders.In some embodiments, such follow-on orders are made at the same kiosk(i.e., using a method otherwise identical to method 500, except thatblock 510 is omitted, and the user does not provide a roll of film, butinstead asks to access the stored images of one or more earlier sessionsfor reprints).

In some embodiments of the method of business, the first businesslocation of block 510 includes an automated kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include displaying530 the images to the customer at the first business location. Someembodiments of the method of business further include accepting 532input from the customer specifying a modification to be made to at leastone image, and displaying 533 a modified image resulting from themodification. Some embodiments of the method of business further includeaccepting a payment (e.g., as part of block 512 that obtains otherinformation about the user) from the customer into the kiosk. Someembodiments of the method of business further include accepting acredit-card payment (e.g., as part of block 512 that obtains otherinformation about the user) from the customer into the kiosk. Someembodiments of the method of business further include accepting inputfrom the customer (e.g., as part of block 512 that obtains otherinformation about the user) specifying a delivery address for theprocessed prints. Some embodiments of the method of business furtherinclude accepting input from the customer (e.g., as part of block 512that obtains other information about the user) specifying a plurality ofdelivery addresses for the processed prints.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include acceptinginput from the customer specifying at least one delivery address for theprocessed prints, displaying 530 the images to the customer at the firstbusiness location, accepting 532 input from the customer specifying amodification to be made to at least one image, displaying a modifiedimage resulting from the modification, and accepting a payment from thecustomer into the kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include transferringa data structure that includes image data of a plurality of customersacross an Internet connection within a single Internet session.

In some embodiments, the method further includes removing the datastructure (block 524) from the local storage after the data structurehas been sent to the image-processing provider. In some embodiments, acheck is performed at block 523 (before the data structure is removed)to determine whether processing at the central processing facility 101is complete, and block 521 at the CPF 101 provides such an indicationonce it has determined that the prints are acceptable, in order topermit the kiosk 100 to remove or delete the data structure having theimages and user information.

In summary, the present invention provides a system and a method fortransferring digital images between a kiosk source terminal and arepository system interconnected by a communications medium. Forexample, in some embodiments, the communications medium 140 includes theInternet. In other embodiments, the medium 140 includes wirelesstransmission of data. In some embodiments, a private network 140 isused.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method of collectingimages from a plurality of customers into a kiosk 100, and transferringimages from the kiosk to an image-processing provider for processing.The kiosk includes a computer, a data storage device and an interfacefor capturing digital images. The data storage device includescomputer-readable media for storing information representative of thedigital images. The method includes accepting image information from acustomer into the interface of the kiosk, accepting user-identifierinformation into the computer, the user-identifier informationcorresponding to the customer, accepting order information into thecomputer, the order information specifying a service to be providedrelative to the image information, storing into a local storageconnected to the computer, a digital representation of the imageinformation and associated user identifier information and orderinformation for each of a plurality of different customers into a datastructure, and sending the data structure to the image-processingprovider via a communication medium.

In some embodiments, the method further includes removing the datastructure from the local storage after the data structure has been sentto the image-processing provider.

In some embodiments of the method, the data structure includes areel-control data structure and a plurality of roll data structures, andthe method further includes: in response to receipt of a first pollrequest at the kiosk and if the data structure is available, sendingdata structure address information corresponding to the available datastructure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via thecommunications medium, in response to receipt of the sent data structureaddress information at the image-processing provider, sending adata-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from theimage-processing provider to the kiosk, sending the data structure fromthe kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communicationsmedium, and storing the data structure in the image-processing provider.

Some embodiments of the method further include accepting credit-cardpayment information into the computer, and storing into the localstorage connected to the computer, a digital representation of thecredit-card information associated with the user identifier information.Some embodiments of the method further include displaying to thecustomer at least one image from the image information. Some embodimentsof the method further include displaying to the customer a plurality ofthumbnail images from the image information. Some embodiments of themethod further include printing a receipt describing the order andincluding a printout of the plurality of thumbnail images from the imageinformation.

In some embodiments of the method, the order information furtherincludes a modification to be made to at least one image from the imageinformation.

In some embodiments of the method, the order information furtherincludes a plurality of delivery addresses to which at least one printfrom the image information is to be delivered.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes optical scanning of film images and generating digitalrepresentations of the film images.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes transferring image data directly from a digital camera.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes transferring image data directly from a storage medium.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes reading image data directly from a memory stick into the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes reading image data directly from a rotatable storage disk intothe kiosk.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes transferring image data into a universal serial bus (USB) portof the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes transferring image data into a wireless receiver port of thekiosk.

In some embodiments of the method, the accepting image informationincludes: accepting a container of undeveloped film into the kiosk,processing the undeveloped film to generate developed film in the kiosk,and optically scanning the developed film and generating at least onedigital representation of the developed film.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer-usableinformation medium having a computer program stored thereon for causinga suitably programmed system to transfer digital images between a sourceterminal and a repository system interconnected by a communicationsmedium by performing one or more of the methods described above whensuch program is executed on the system.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a kiosk foraccepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at aremote image-processing provider. The kiosk includes a controller, astorage device operatively coupled to the controller, a image inputdevice operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controllertransfers digital image information from the image input device to thestorage device, a user input device operatively coupled to thecontroller to produce user-identifier information and order informationbased on input from the customer, wherein the order informationspecifies a service to be provided relative to the image information,and wherein the controller associates the user-identifier informationand the order information with the digital image information, and a datatransmission interface operatively coupled to the controller and to acommunication medium, wherein the controller sends the digital imageinformation and its associated user-identifier information and orderinformation to the image-processing provider via a communication medium.

Some embodiments of the kiosk further include a credit-card informationinput device operatively coupled to the controller.

Some embodiments of the kiosk further include a display that shows tothe customer at least one image from the image information.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the user input device further acceptsinput from the customer to specify a modification to be made to at leastone image from the image information, and wherein the display provides avisual indication of the image as modified by the modification.

Some embodiments of the kiosk further include a display that shows tothe customer a plurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

Some embodiments of the kiosk further include a printer that prints areceipt that describes the order and includes a printout of theplurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the user-input device further acceptsorder information indicating a plurality of delivery addresses to whichat least one print from the image information is to be delivered.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the image-input device includes anoptical scanner of film images that generates digital representations ofthe film images.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the image-input device includes adigital camera interface that transfers image data directly from adigital camera.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the image-input device includes astorage medium interface that transfers image data directly from astorage medium.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the storage medium interface includesa memory stick port into the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the storage medium interface includesa disk interface that reads image data directly from a rotatable storagedisk into the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the storage medium interface includesa universal serial bus (USB) port into the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the storage medium interface includesa wireless receiver port into the kiosk.

In some embodiments of the kiosk, the image input device includes: amechanical port that accepts a container of undeveloped film into thekiosk, a film processor coupled to the mechanical port that processesthe undeveloped film to generate developed film in the kiosk, and anoptical scanner that scans the developed film and generates at least onedigital representation of the developed film.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a remote filmprocessing system for obtaining digital image data from a customer andremotely processing image prints. This system includes a network, akiosk coupled to the network, and means for obtaining the digital imagedata into the kiosk and locally storing the data, and for transferringthe data to a repository system interconnected to the kiosk by thenetwork.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides acomputer-implemented method of business that includes accepting imageinformation at a first business location, accepting user-identifierinformation and order information associated with the image informationat the first business location, processing and digitally storing aplurality of images from the image information at the first businesslocation, transferring the digital stored images to a second businesslocation across a communications medium, storing the digital images atthe second business location, processing prints of the stored images,and delivering the processed prints to a customer.

In some embodiments of the method of business, the first businesslocation includes an automated kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include displayingthe images to the customer at the first business location.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include acceptinginput from the customer specifying a modification to be made to at leastone image, and displaying a modified image resulting from themodification.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include accepting apayment from the customer into the kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include accepting acredit-card payment from the customer into the kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include acceptinginput from the customer specifying a delivery address for the processedprints.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include acceptinginput from the customer specifying a plurality of delivery addresses forthe processed prints.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include acceptinginput from the customer specifying at least one delivery address for theprocessed prints, displaying the images to the customer at the firstbusiness location, accepting input from the customer specifying amodification to be made to at least one image, displaying a modifiedimage resulting from the modification, and accepting a payment from thecustomer into the kiosk.

Some embodiments of the method of business further include transferringa data structure that includes image data of a plurality of customersacross an Internet connection within a single Internet session.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an automated kiosk foraccepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at aremote image-processing provider. This kiosk includes a controller, astorage device operatively coupled to the controller, a plurality ofimage input devices operatively coupled to the controller, each inputdevice accepting a different type of image information, wherein thecontroller transfers digital image information from the image inputdevices to the storage device, a credit-card reader operatively coupledto the controller, the reader operable to read data of a credit card, auser input device operatively coupled to the controller to produceuser-identifier information and order information based on input fromthe customer, wherein the order information specifies a service to beprovided relative to the image information, and wherein the controllerassociates the user-identifier information and the order informationwith the digital image information, a display that displays the digitalimage information, user-identifier information, and order information,and a data transmission interface operatively coupled to the controllerand to a communication medium, wherein the controller sends the digitalimage information and its associated user-identifier information andorder information to the image-processing provider via a communicationmedium.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method ofcollecting images from a plurality of customers into an image-uploadkiosk, and transferring images from the kiosk to an image-processingprovider. The kiosk includes a data storage device and an inputinterface for capturing digital images. The data storage device includescomputer readable media for storing information representative of thedigital images. The method includes storing image and associateduser-identification and order information from each of the plurality ofcustomers into the storage device of the kiosk, connecting the kiosk toa telecommunications channel, and transferring the information over thetelecommunications channel from the kiosk to the image-processingprovider, wherein transferring the information over the communicationschannel includes storing the information to a storage device at theimage-processing provider.

In some embodiments of this method, the image-upload kiosk includes areceptacle, wherein the storing image and associated user-identificationand order information includes removing a data-storage medium from adigital imaging system, and inserting the data-storage medium in thereceptacle.

In some embodiments of this method, the image upload kiosk includes areceptacle and a button, wherein storing image and associateduser-identification and order information includes removing adata-storage medium from a digital imaging system, inserting thedata-storage medium in the receptacle, and depressing the button.

In some embodiments of this method, the telecommunications channelincludes a telephone network.

In some embodiments of this method, the image upload kiosk includes areceptacle, and the storing image and associated user-identification andorder information further includes removing a data-storage medium from adigital imaging system, inserting the data-storage medium in thereceptacle, and wherein transferring the information over thecommunications channel further includes establishing a telephoneconnection between the image upload device and the image-processingprovider.

In some embodiments of this method, the telecommunications channelincludes a cable network.

In some embodiments of this method, the image upload kiosk includes acradle having a data transfer interface and wherein storing image andassociated user-identification and order information includes placing adigital imaging system in the cradle.

In some embodiments of this method, the digital imaging system includesa rechargeable electrical-energy source and the cradle includes abattery-recharge circuit, wherein connecting the data storage device tothe image upload device includes recharging the rechargeableelectrical-energy source.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a digital imagetransfer system that includes a processor, memory connected to theprocessor, a digital imaging system interface connected to theprocessor, wherein the digital imaging system interface is capable ofreceiving information representative of digital images from adigital-imaging system, a user interface connected to the processor, theuser interface capable of inputting user-identification, order, andpayment information from each one of a plurality of customers, a storagedevice coupled to the processor, that stores the digital images and theassociated user-identification and order information, an event detectorcoupled to the processor, and an image-processing provider interfaceconnected to the processor, wherein the image-processing providerinterface is capable of connecting to a communications medium in orderto transfer digital images from the digital imaging system interface andthe image information and the user-identification and order informationfrom the user interface through the communications medium to animage-processing provider in response to an event detected by the eventdetector.

In some embodiments of the system, the event detector includes a timerand the event is a time-based event. In some embodiments of the system,the event detector includes an Internet connection and the event is apoll message from the image-processing provider. In some embodiments ofthe system, the event detector includes a storage space detector and theevent is a predetermined amount of image data being stored in thestorage device (or, equivalently, only a small amount of unused storageremaining).

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of collectingimages and order information by an image-processing provider from atleast one image kiosk. The image kiosk includes a computer, a datastorage device and an interface for capturing digital images, whereinthe data storage device includes computer readable media for storinginformation representative of the digital images. This method includesaccepting image information from a customer into the interface of thekiosk, storing the image information into a local storage, sendinginquiring signal from the image-processing provider to the kiosk,replying the inquiring signal with an image use signal, and transferringthe image data to the image-processing provider via a communicationmedium.

Some embodiments further include removing the image information from thelocal storage after the image-data transfer.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. The terms “comprising”and “including” each indicate inclusive groups of elements or steps, andare not intended to exclude other components, integers or steps.

1. A method for collecting images by an image-processing provider from aplurality of users using an automated station, the method comprising:receiving a wireless signal comprising image information by a wirelessreceiver port in the automated station; accepting user-identifierinformation into a computer in the automated station, wherein theuser-identifier information is associated with a user; accepting orderinformation into the computer, the order information specifying aservice to be provided by the image-processing provider relative to theimage information; storing into a local storage in the automated stationand coupled to the computer, a digital representation of the imageinformation and associated user identifier information and orderinformation for each of a plurality of different users into a datastructure; and sending the data structure to the image-processingprovider via a communication network.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: removing the data structure from the local storage after thedata structure has been sent to the image-processing provider.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving payment informationfrom the user into the computer; and storing into the local storageconnected to the computer, the payment information associated with theuser identifier information.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: displaying to the user at least one image from the imageinformation.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image informationincludes a modification to be made to at least one image in the imageinformation.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data structure issent to the image-processing provider via a wireless communicationnetwork.
 7. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving imageinformation in a first wireless signal at a first location; acceptinguser-identifier information and order information associated with theimage information at the first location, wherein the user-identifierinformation is associated with a user; storing a plurality of images inthe image information at the first location; transferring the storedplurality of images in a second wireless signal to a second location viaa wireless communications network; storing the plurality of images atthe second location; producing an image-based product according to atleast one of the digital images stored at the second location; anddelivering the image-based product to a recipient specified in the orderinformation.
 8. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7,wherein the image information in the first wireless signal is receivedby an automated station at the first location.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method according to claim 7, further comprising:accepting payment from the user at the first location.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method according to claim 7, further comprising:accepting input from the user specifying a modification to be made toone of images.
 11. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7,further comprising: sending a data structure comprising the image data,the user-identifier information, and the order information from thefirst location to the second location via the wireless communicationsnetwork.
 12. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7,further comprising: sending an inquiring signal from the second locationto the first location; replying the inquiring signal with an image usesignal before the step of transferring the stored plurality of images.13. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7, furthercomprising: removing the image information at the first location afterthe step of transferring the stored plurality of images.
 14. A digitalimage transfer system, comprising: a computer processor; a memoryconnected to the computer processor; a wireless communication portcoupled to the computer processor, wherein the wireless communicationport is configured to receive a first wireless signal comprising imagedata from an imaging device; a storage device coupled to the computerprocessor and configured to store the image data; an event detectorcoupled to the computer processor; and a network communication portcoupled to the computer processor and configured to transfer the imagedata to a remote image-processing provider via a computer network inresponse to an event detected by the event detector.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the event detector includes a timer andwherein the event is a time-based event.
 16. The system according toclaim 14, wherein the event detector is configured to respond to a pollmessage received from the image-processing provider.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the event detector includes a storagespace detector, and wherein the event is a predetermined amount of imagedata being stored in the storage device.
 18. The system according toclaim 14, wherein the computer processor is configured to receiveuser-identification, order information, and payment information from theimaging device.
 19. The system according to claim 14, wherein thecomputer network includes a wireless communication network.
 20. Thesystem according to claim 14, wherein the network communication port isconfigured to send user-identification, order information, and paymentinformation to the remote image-processing provider via the computernetwork.